The growing utilization of automated systems for pumping and projection of refractories castables is the result of the simultaneous understanding of packing´s microstructural characteristics and rheological nature of these materials. The wet-shotcrete of refractories castables presents a great technological interest because there is no need of molds for lining large areas. The process consist of applying the sprayed castable on the surface to be lined or repaired. As the material hits the surface to be coated the fluidity must be totally vanished by the action of setting additives, resulting in a high deposition rate. The present work has the objective to identify the factors that influence the performance of the wet-shotcrete through the evaluation of commercial castables for blast furnace trough. Additionally, a systemic criteria for rheological multi-characterization was established. The results obtained generated a technological path to classify the performance and the development of this important class of ceramic refractory materials.
refractory castable; wet-shotcrete; packing; rheologic properties; steel-making
